THE WONDERS OF WALES Blue-Roads | Europe On this captivating journey through deep green valleys, past snow-dusted mountains and along an unforgettable coastline, we’ll go high and low in search of Wales’ most iconic sights. Join us as we walk the ancient lands of Celts and Romans, immersing ourselves in age-old local traditions as we go. TOUR CODE: BEHWWCC-1 Thank You for Choosing Blue-Roads Thank you for choosing to travel with Back-Roads Touring. We can’t wait for you to join us on the mini-coach! About Your Tour Notes THE BLUE-ROADS DIFFERENCE Indulge in a traditional afternoon tea served in glorious surroundings These tour notes contain everything you need to know Embark on a steam train ride through before your tour departs – including where to meet, the spectacular scenery of Snowdonia what to bring with you and what you can expect to do National Park on each day of your itinerary. You can also print this Stay in the enchanting Italianate style document out, use it as a checklist and bring it with you village of Portmeirion – an on tour. architectural marvel Please Note: We recommend that you refresh TOUR CURRENCIES this document one week before your tour departs to ensure you have the most up-to-date + United Kingdom - GBP accommodation list and itinerary information available. Your Itinerary DAY 1 | CARDIFF After meeting the group in Wales' vibrant capital, we'll get to know one another over a delicious welcome dinner at the hotel. Accommodation: Jurys Inn City Centre (or similar) MEALS: Dinner DAY 2 | CARDIFF – BRECON BEACONS Following a hearty breakfast at our hotel, we’ll set off in search of the Wales of old. Our first stop? St Fagans National Museum of History, Wales’ most popular heritage attraction. Continuing our journey, we’ll venture through the dramatic Welsh Valleys to Brecon Beacons National Park, stopping at the 13th-century Caerphilly Castle along the way. This evening, another delicious group dinner awaits us at our hotel. Accommodation: The Bear Hotel at Crickhowell (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 3 | BRECON BEACONS – LLANGOLLEN – NORTH WALES Today’s itinerary will take us further north along the border regions of Mid Wales to Pontcysyllte Aqueduct: the longest and highest structure of its kind (and a UNESCO World Heritage Site). We’ll have the opportunity to visit the mesmerising Valle Crucis Abbey before pausing for an afternoon tea together at a charming local tearoom. Upon our arrival along the rugged North Welsh Coast, we’ll have the evening to spend at our leisure. Accommodation: St Georges Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 4 | NORTH WALES After an eventful few days, today you’ll have plenty of free time to explore the nearby towns of Llandudno and Conwy. How you choose to spend the day is up to you – but we recommend visiting the imposing Conwy Castle and taking a look at the medieval town walls. Later, you could uncover the self-proclaimed “smallest house in Great Britain” along the picturesque Quay – which also plays host to an abundance of cosy cafes and traditional pubs perfect for spending a relaxing afternoon. Accommodation: St Georges Hotel (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast DAY 5 | NORTH WALES – NANT GWRTHEYRN – PORTMEIRION Continuing our journey today, we’ll have a brief photo opportunity at the village with the longest place name in Europe – Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch – before moving on to the fascinating Llanberis Slate Mine. After enjoying a demonstration and stroll around the museum, it’s onwards to the Welsh Language Heritage Centre in Nant Gwrtheyrn – where we’ll flex our language skills with a lesson in tongue-twisting Welsh pronunciation. There will be plenty of time to practise your new-found skills over our included dinner in Portmeirion tonight! Accommodation: Hotel Portmeirion (or similar) MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 6 | PORTMEIRION – ABERYSTWYTH – PEMBROKESHIRE Today we'll take in the breathtaking landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in comfort and style as we enjoy a steam train ride along the historic Ffestiniog & Welsh Highland Railway. The oldest independent railway company in the world - gaze upon the lush green pastures, glittering lakes, magnificent forests and rushing waterfalls of the national park as we travel around horseshoe bends, through mountain tunnels and cruise along cliff edges. Our day will end in picturesque Pembrokeshire - where you'll have the evening to spend at your leisure. MEALS: Breakfast DAY 7 | PEMBROKESHIRE – TENBY – PEMBROKESHIRE This morning, we'll set a course for the picture-perfect fishing village of Tenby. Perched on a headland and surrounded by Norman-built walls - we'll have plenty of time to explore the medieval village streets and array of cafes and stores at our own pace. Upon returning to Pembrokeshire, enjoy some leisure time before we don our best outfits for tonight's final group dinner. Here's to an incredible journey! MEALS: Breakfast Dinner DAY 8 | PEMBROKESHIRE – CARDIFF After breakfast, it’s back to Cardiff we go! From Pembrokeshire, we’ll make the scenic drive along Wales’ west coast. When we reach the capital, our tour will come to a close. MEALS: Breakfast Tour Information Meals Blue-Roads Travel App INCLUDED MEALS Breakfast (B) is included daily. Why not check in for your tour using the Back- Some of your lunches and dinners are also Roads app? included, either in hotels or local restaurants. This handy tool allows you to view your These are indicated by (L) and (D) in the bookings, check your itinerary, see tour maps itinerary. and more – making it the perfect travel Please note that drinks will not always be companion for your Back-Roads trip. included. How to Download the Back-Roads app We will do our best to accommodate any specific dietary requirements you may have. 1. Launch the App Store or Google Play on Please ensure to make these clear to us your device before your tour begins so we can 2. Search ‘Back-Roads’ and click ‘OK’ communicate them to our hotels, restaurants 3. Select the Back-Roads app in the search and suppliers. results 4. Click the download/install button 5. The app should be installed in your device’s applications page Other Information Finances CHANGING MONEY SPENDING MONEY CASH: Foreign money can be changed at Naturally, everyone’s spending varies. Many of banks, airports, railway and tube stations, and your meals are included in the price of your at major hotels (though at a less favourable tour, so this just leaves a few meals and your rate) personal spending to budget for. CREDIT CARDS: Visa and MasterCard are widely Tips for the Tour Leader and Driver are not accepted. American Express is only accepted in included. Tipping is entirely at your some larger establishments discretion; however, if you feel you have CASH MACHINES: ATMS are widely available received exceptional service, it is recommended that you tip £1-2/€ per day for Drivers and £4-5/€ per day for Tour Leaders. Insurance Passports and Visas You will need to take out full travel insurance We advise you either to carry a photocopy of before travelling with Back-Roads Touring. your passport (and visa, if applicable) with you Please ensure that you have adequate medical, while abroad, or to ensure that you leave a personal effects and cancellation cover. copy with relatives back at home. We recommend that you carry your insurance This will enable the local embassy or high details with you at all times. You may be asked commission to arrange a replacement if the to provide details of your medical insurance or original should be lost or stolen. a payment guarantee in some countries before If you do take copies with you on your trip, medical assistance can be provided. please ensure that you keep these separate Your insurance company may not assist you from your original documents. with your claim if the instructions given in the It is your responsibility to obtain any visas policy have not been followed. necessary to enable you to travel in Europe or Asia. Contact your local consular office for more information. Transport We travel in premium mini-coaches equipped with comfortable seats, air conditioning and large windows for enjoying the view. With far more flexibility than a standard-size coach, we’re able to take the scenic route – winding through beautiful countryside to the heart of tiny villages and coastal towns. What to Bring Suggested Packing List Wondering what to take with you on tour? Our packing list can be used as a guide. Please Note: What you pack will depend on the countries you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. The following is a suggested clothing list only, based on our experience: Sun hat Sunglasses Shorts/skirts Long-sleeved tops Short-sleeved tops Trousers Light jacket Waterproof jacket and Warm jacket umbrella Walking shoes/comfortable shoes Smart casual evening Sleepwear Swimwear and towel wear Other things to pack: Multi-use travel adapter Camera Batteries Phone Personal medication Sunscreen Paracetamol or aspirin OPTIONALS TO CONSIDER: Motion sickness tablets Anti-diarrhoea tablets Sewing kit Lip balm That's it! We look forward to seeing you on tour..